Shrewsbury chief executive Brian Caldwell has hit out at Town for what he says was an “illegal approach” for his club’s manager Paul Hurst. Caldwell says he expects Hurst’s move to the Blues is now a fait accompli with his assistant Chris Doig set to join him at Portman Road.

In a lengthy interview with BBC Radio Shropshire, Caldwell made his frustrations known and outlined how events unfolded yesterday.

“I got a call yesterday morning at 10 to 10 from Paul’s agent, which was a bit of a surprise to be honest with you, saying that he’s had an approach from Ipswich wanting to speak to him,” he said.

“In the meantime, by 10 to 10, he’d spoken to Paul and Paul had intimated that he would like to talk to Ipswich.

“We found out after that and that’s actually, I’ve got be honest, that’s actually an illegal approach.”

Caldwell admits the news came as no shock in the wake of Sunday’s League One play-off defeat to Rotherham and with the Town move having been expected for some while, TWTD having reported that talks following the play-off final were likely to be a formality.

“I don’t think it was a surprise,” he added. “I think we were all bracing ourselves because of all the speculation. I’ve had a running commentary from some of the papers over what’s been happening at Ipswich in the last couple of weeks.

“While I’m not saying it’s a surprise, it’s still disappointing less than 24 hours after what had happened on Sunday and to get a call from the agent rather than Ipswich themselves was probably even more disappointing because I just don’t think that’s the right way to go about it.”

Could Hurst have been persuaded to stay with the Shrews? “I think Paul is probably the only one who could answer that but my personal feeling is that it’s been on the cards for the last couple of weeks no matter what, that’s my own personal feeling.”

He added: “I just felt at the time that perhaps Ipswich came, it’s a bigger club than Shrewsbury let’s not be kidded, and that’s no disrespect to us.

“There’ll always be a bit more money involved in it no matter what, so he obviously wanted to talk to them yesterday morning when I got the call from his agent.

“Things then moved on from there. I had a couple of calls with their owner at Ipswich [Marcus Evans], who straight away seemed to know that Chris Doig (pictured above) was going as well.

“The approach has been for the two of them, which surprised me a wee bit as well because I didn’t actually expect them to know if they haven’t actually spoken to them that he would want Chris Doig as the assistant, but the whole compensation package involves the two of them.”

Caldwell says Hurst’s switch to the Blues is now just a formality: “Basically, I’m sure the contract is probably in place already. It’s just a bit of a waiting game now until we get that final confirmation from Ipswich that everything’s been agreed.”

He says the clubs hadn’t planned to release the news of Town’s approach last night, after compensation had been agreed, but they became aware it was going to leak.

While Doig is joining Hurst at Town, goalkeeper-coach Danny Coyne isn’t part of the deal, the former Wales international having discovered the news from Twitter.

Caldwell admits he’s not been pleased with the manner of Hurst's exit and made that known to the Blues.

“I’ve got to say I was a disappointed and I told Ipswich that yesterday,” he said. “I’m disappointed just with the way it’s panned out.

“I do believe, I’ve got to say, that in the last couple of weeks there’s probably been stuff going on behind the scenes.

“Again, I get football, in football there’s a lot of things behind the scenes and a lot of things behind people’s backs, but sometimes you’re looking for a bit of loyalty.

“I always treat everybody the way I would [like to be treated] myself and if something came in for me personally I would be straight. If there’s been something going on behind the scenes for the last couple of weeks that would be disappointing.”

Does he feel Hurst hasn’t been as open as he might have been? “I think it’s difficult and he’s been in a difficult position over the last couple of weeks if there has been anything going on.

"The last thing he wants to do as admit something has been going on behind the scenes because potentially it would be an illegal approach.

“Even that yesterday morning first thing, taking a call from the agent rather than Ipswich, was again disappointing.

“But that’s football for you, you just have to get on with it and we just have to move on to the next step. We’re all used to it, we’ve all got experience of it, so we take it on the chin and move on.”

As TWTD reported last night, Hurst, who is currently on holiday in Dubai, could be formally appointed the new Town boss as soon as today.

Photos: Action Images/TWTD

Pilgrimblue added 11:09 - May 29 Can't imagine we'll be offering them a "friendly" now! All very silly really so hope it's all sorted asap and Hurst can return from holiday refreshed and ready to focus on Town. Should really have been signed up a month ago when he'd have been able to look at squad and budget with ME before going on holiday. As it is he's got a lot to do before season starts.
-1

Edmundo added 11:16 - May 29 Paul Hurst Paul Hurst Pauly Pauly Hurst He left the Shrews to join the Blues Pauly Pauly Hurst! COYB! !
1

Marcus added 11:24 - May 29 It's illegal if the club makes a direct approach. However they can speak to an agent and the agent can speak to a target. It's a bit like having an interpreter in the room who only speaks the same language (although can't be in the same room). If the target makes an approach directly to club to ask questions or clarify something then it's in a grey area that would need the contract to be analysed - this is what I think the allegation is, that the agent was bypassed by either party. Even if it is illegal it can only be actioned if there is evidence and if it can't be proven that the conversation wasn't entirely by proxy then it's just frustration rather than something that can be used against us.

2

itfcmatty added 11:25 - May 29 Everyone of you that slagged off Mick McCarthy for making Ipswich difficult to beat and not pretty on the eye. Yet you're all over the moon about Paul Hurst? Do you even watch football? Expect much of the same next season, I think we will go down.
-16

runningout added 11:29 - May 29 Forget it and let Shrewsbury keep him. Can't be fussed with too much s*it
-6

spanishblue added 11:31 - May 29 And who do you think has been off loading one or two of the players etc.bet if we knew it was Mr Hurst in collusion with B.K.and what did Jaap Stam say about Alex Fergie just bumped into each other did they.Modern day football for us just hope he's a great success and the same thing will probably happen to us
0

juniorblue added 11:31 - May 29 From what I have seen, both Paul Hurst and Town (ME) behaved professionally and respectfully. Town did not release any statements and PH has been very tight-lipped. I think these comments are from an obviously disappointed Chief Executive at Shrewsbury. When you see how Sunderland announced the arrival of Jack Ross, I think Town have conducted themselves admirably.
11

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 11:33 - May 29 itfcmatty: Well, I hope you're wrong, but I do agree Hurst will have a big job on his hands. I hope fans realise that. It's unlikely he'll have the resources to suddenly change us into a a top Championship side. But let's support him in doing the best he can. And if we do go down, well at least Hurst knows something about (nearly) getting sides out of League 1.

5

floridaboy added 11:39 - May 29 But we have the resources. The squad needs a couple of additions and far better luck with injuries. surely that was the major issue last season. Midfield absolutely decimated. Maybe now Liddell is leaving our luck will change
2

RoyalAscotBlue added 11:41 - May 29 What are you talking about itfcmatty? When was the last time ANY McCarthy side scored a beautifully worked free kick like the Shrews did the other day? PH will bring a much better standard of football to Ipswich. Can't wait.
13

itfcmatty added 11:42 - May 29 Steve_ITFC_Sweden, I hope i'm wrong but what has he ever done? Championship is a big step up. Everyone wanted change yet Hurst looks like he will play a similar style to McCarthy. I don't know why everyone is so excited? Would of rather had someone like Lampard with fresh ideas who might turn Ipswich into a ball playing side.
-3

TractorRoyNo1 added 11:52 - May 29 Well done Mr Caldwell you have got £100k "compensation" out of Mr Evans now crawl back under your stone.
3

TractorRoyNo1 added 11:54 - May 29 Goalkeeper coaches are 2 a penny, the crucial vacancy is Chief Scout, now that would be an ideal job for Burley or Butcher.
4

BlueandTruesince82 added 11:56 - May 29 Absolutely agree that we have to allow Hurst time. Something that traditionally supporters and owners alike have done at Town. What I have seen is that Shrews play on the ground. Front man is a target of sorts but the ball goes to feet rather than head or chest with the aim to create chances from there. I'm pretty happy with Hurst but would have loved to see Steijn interviewed too. But if Hurst is the man he has my backing.

5

Pip50 added 11:58 - May 29 I'm for giving him a go, anything has got to be better than the turgid rubbish MM was serving up. As for Mr Shrews chief Exe if it's an illegal approach report us to the FA not take our compensation money!
4

RegencyBlue added 12:19 - May 29 If it was that much of a surprise its strange it didnt take long to agree the compensation package. Could have been a release clause I suppose but even so. Sounds like their Chief Executive is trying to head off any fan criticism at their end to me.
4

peteswindon added 12:36 - May 29 what planet does this idiot live on????
3

barrystedmunds added 12:39 - May 29 Never like to see the suggestion that Town have acted anyway but professionally, but as the guy says” that's football”! Get him onboard and let's see where it takes us. Nothing in life, and football, is guaranteed but I'm in favour of the direction we're going.
4

MooseJuice added 12:49 - May 29 Itfcmatty... I've watched Shrewsbury a couple of times this year, and I remember in particular them going down to ten men away at Bradford and Hurst almost immediately threw on another striker to try and win the game anyway. I'm pretty confident that sort of thought never once crossed magic Mick's mind!
4

Fat_Boy_Tim added 12:49 - May 29 Oh for goodness sake, he's being a bit over the top. He sounds like he's suffered a bereavement and found out about it in the papers. Instead we've spoken to the agent who called Shrewsbury on the same day as we did. They've agreed a compensation package on that same day before going on air to bemoan the process.
3

bobble added 12:55 - May 29 if only the world operated as we expected...
1

BobbyBell added 13:08 - May 29 Agents want deals to happen and will push the process Can you imagine an agent saying "you're in the best place mate, just stay there and be happy, I don't need my cut anyway". He may have jumped the gun before Evans rang. Who knows?
3

terryf added 13:35 - May 29 Would imagine 3rd parties found out ages ago if he was interested if an approach was made. Ipswich then contacted the Chairman for permission to talk to Hurst and agreed a compensation package. The CEO is probably aggrieved as he only heard about it after contact with Hurst's Agent. Can't see much wrong with that, particularly as it hasn't been a secret that we were interested in their Manager. Reckon he was first choice even though ME interviewed Ross twice. If h'd been that convinced over Ross he would have offered him the job well before the Sunderland interest.

3

blueboy1981 added 13:40 - May 29 If this is true - we have clearly BROKEN the Rules. No excuses please, from people who have no respect for such. Some people have standards, and expect them to be upheld.
-7

Surco72 added 13:44 - May 29 All teams play long ball and counter attack from time to time its part of football , what all teams don't do is play 8 defenders and go for draws or not to concede at all costs like MM teams do . Don't believe we need a mass change in personal to challenge for playoffs , must is a ball winning dominant defensive midfielder and a bit more belief that we can beat teams and players on their toes that their position is not guaranteed whatever their performance

2

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls